Howard Lake-Waverly Herald, Feb. 4, 2002

Howard Lake burglar goes house to house, helps himself

Purses and cigarettes were snatched off kitchen tables,
and cell phones were taken from cars during a midnight burglar's spree in
Howard Lake Jan. 25.

One dozen homeowners were burglarized, probably between
midnight and 4 a.m., according to law enforcement officials.

The Wright County Sheriff's Office took in at least seven
reports. The Howard Lake Police Department recorded five reports, Officer
Lenny Keyes said.

A suspicious white male was seen walking along Imhoff Avenue
on foot about this time, according to the sheriff's office.

The actual number of thefts was unknown at first because
some of the items ­ recovered in a ditch later ­ were not even reported
missing, since the owners did not realize their valuables were taken, Keyes
said.

The thief appeared to walk from house to house, and upon
finding better loot, dropped what he had from the previous burglary, and
continued with his spree, according to the sheriff's office.

Many people slept in their beds as the thief entered their
homes, and helped himself to credit cards, purses, jewelry, and alcohol,
according to the sheriff's office.

Curiously, the thief left behind half of what he stole.
Recovered along the road were purses, wallets, several cell phones, sets
of keys, and other items; although cash, checks, and other more valuable
items are still missing, the sheriff's office said.

"We were scoped out," commented Shelly Reddemann.

The thief entered the Reddemanns' home via a small service
entrance in their garage and took a one-of-a-kind watch, Donna Reddemann's
purse, a cell phone, and a quart of schnapps, the sheriff's office said.

Dan Zander had credit cards, a set of keys, and a cell
phone stolen, the sheriff's office reported.

"It was pretty bold," commented Mike Mitchell.
The thief took cartons of cigarettes, a purse, which was later recovered,
and a cell phone from the Mitchells.

Some exterior security lights were unscrewed to disable
them, Mitchell said. The thief appeared to go through kitchen cupboards
and the refrigerator, probably looking for alcohol, Mitchell said.

David and Nancy Grisso had keys and wallet taken.

Other thefts involved parked vehicles at Fairway Boulevard,
Dutch Lake Trail, and Fifth Avenue. Taken was a credit card from a Mueller-Pribyl
Utilities service vehicle, as well as keys, and cell phones, the sheriff's
office said.